David Sutton, a 27-year-old volunteer for Pride in Surrey, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment at Guildford Crown Court for his role in multiple sexual offences against children, committed in collaboration with his partner Stephen Ireland. The proceedings, concluding on 30 June 2025, detailed Sutton's involvement in the exploitation of vulnerable minors, including discussions and acts that facilitated child sex offences.
Sutton shared a flat with Ireland in Addlestone, where the rape of a 12-year-old boy, Child A, occurred on 19 April 2024. Although not directly present during the initial encounter, Sutton received images and messages from Ireland about the boy, including descriptions of him as a '14-year-old baby who wants to play with men’s bodies.' The pair exchanged communications about involving the child further, with Ireland proposing a threesome and sending explicit photos.
Evidence presented showed that in August 2022, Ireland and Sutton planned to procure a 13-year-old boy for Sutton's 25th birthday in October that year. Sutton was directly involved in a separate incident in March 2024, where he had sex with a 16-year-old boy at the flat, unknowingly recorded by Ireland via live camera footage. Ireland watched and sent directing messages such as 'he doesn’t know I’m here,' feeding into their mutual perversions.
Both defendants were convicted of voyeurism related to this recording. Additionally, they possessed and distributed prohibited images of children. Following their arrest, Sutton and Ireland perverted the course of justice by deleting phone data and search history after being released on bail in June 2024.
Judge Patricia Lees addressed the pair during sentencing, stating, 'You fed off one another. You definitely supported one another in your perversions.' Sutton's offences included voyeurism, possession and distribution of prohibited images of children, and perverting the course of justice. The court emphasised the gravity of their actions, particularly in light of their positions within the Surrey Pride organisation, which should have promoted safeguarding rather than exploitation.
The case, reported by The Evening Standard, underscores the betrayal of trust by individuals in community leadership roles. Sutton's sentence reflects his complicity in the broader pattern of abuse orchestrated with Ireland.